Knockbane [An Cnoc Ban]

Rising above the rolling pastures of County Tipperary, this rounded summit is a prominent feature of the Slieve Felim range. Its slopes are characterized by a mix of commercial forestry and rough blanket bog, offering a quiet, uncrowded alternative to the more popular Galtees found further south.

• •The name is derived from the Irish An Cnoc Bán, meaning 'The White Hill,' a reference to the pale fionnán grass that often bleaches the slopes during the winter months.
• •Despite its modest absolute height, the hill is classified as a Marilyn because it stands significantly clear of its neighbours, including the nearby Mauherslieve, also known as Mother Mountain.
• •On a clear day, the summit offers a sprawling view across the Shannon basin toward the waters of Lough Derg and the distant, jagged profile of the Galty Mountains to the south.
• •Navigating the summit plateau requires a philosophical attitude toward peat hags; the terrain is famously unforgiving to those who forget that Tipperary bog can be significantly deeper than it looks.